Sleep Well and Lose Weight: Penelope Cruz's Unusual Diet

Getting enough sleep may not get you a Golden Globe award but it might just help get a body like Penelope Cruz’s. The gorgeous, exotic actress hasn’t won an award last Sunday, but the movie in which she played, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona", directed by Woody Allen, was awarded Best Musical or Comedy Movie. Penelope was looking fabulous on the red carpet and her secret is simple.

The actress has definitely changed her lifestyle. She started saying no to smoking, junk food, which was a big part of her daily menu, and, instead, began meditating, exercising, taking care of her body. How? It seems Penelope’s secret to staying in shape is sleeping 12 hours a day.

Sleeping cannot lead to weight loss but depriving oneself of it can certainly lead to weight problems. For instance, nutritionists often link lack of sleep to obesity. It is a known fact that most Americans don’t get enough sleep (6 hours) which lead to stress and bad eating habits.

Penelope also got the help of nutritionist and personal trainer Jackie Keller, which emphasizes on “reconciliation” with food or simply put: food is your friend. A balanced diet must include five portions of fruit and five of vegetables every day. Also, proteins and whole starch must be includes in every meal.

The products which should be avoided are: butter, white bread and fatty meat. Penelope also exercises at least three times a week. Sometimes more, if she plans to have a good day with her “friends”: a glass of wine and a chocolate bar.